Giving Green (GG) is a semi-autonomous team within IDinsight that researches evaluates, and supports organizations working to tackle the climate crisis.

The Climate Research Manager will be a key voice on our team, responsible for directing our policy research and advising team members on policy work. You will work closely with IDinsight’s Chief Economist and other members of the Giving Green team. 

About Giving Green

Giving Green’s mission is to direct dollars and volunteers towards evidence-based projects that combat the climate crisis. 

The climate crisis is vast and complex. For non-experts looking to make an impact with their own money or time, it is often difficult to know where to look. This results in many giving ineffectively and, we think, many more not giving at all. We research and publicize the best donation and investment opportunities in climate—that is, organizations doing impactful work with a strong need for additional funding—to empower everyone to give with confidence and move money towards high-impact solutions. Currently, we focus on US and Australian policy change, the carbon offset market for net-zero businesses, and sustainable investing.

We operate as a semi-autonomous team within IDinsight, a global development advisory firm. Launched just two years ago, Giving Green has moved hundreds of thousands of dollars and landed press mentions in Vox, the Atlantic, Time, and more. 

Giving Green is an Effective Altruist-aligned organization with big ambitions. We want to make a major difference in the fight against climate change, and the Researcher will play a crucial role in advancing our mission.

About the Giving Green Climate Research Manager

You will manage a subset of research workstreams at Giving Green, based on your expertise: collaborate with the team to define our research agenda, oversee the research process, and approve final products. You will also contribute to research done across the team. The team will depend on you to provide substantive knowledge and a critical eye to ensure our work meets high standards of rigor.

Your experience day-to-day will be like that of working at a small startup, but you’ll have the infrastructure and support of a more established organization. As Giving Green is a small organization, all members may be asked to contribute to non-research work, such as fundraising and communications. 

We are willing to consider a full-time senior research role or a part-time consultancy to tackle specific projects. Please indicate in your application whether you are interested in a part- or full-time role. 

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Research Manager include:

• Research:
  • Conduct literature reviews to identify effective interventions in climate policy and technology
  • Conduct quantitative analyses of the impact of policies and organizations on the climate
  • Conduct expert interviews to understand the influence of specific organizations 
  • Write detailed research reports as well as short-form content for a general audience
• Management:
  • Help develop research agenda
  • Drive further development of Giving Green’s research metrics
  • Own relationships with partners and clients
  • Serve as our in-house expert supporting research 
  • Manage and mentor other researchers
• Outreach:
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with communities in climate, philanthropy, effective altruism
  • Represent our research to journalists and the public

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates with demonstrated experience in the climate world. All else equal, candidates with experience in a range of geographies (local, state, national, international) and candidates with experience managing desk-based research will receive stronger consideration.

Note that the list below lays out our desired qualifications. We know that strong candidates may not check all boxes, but we are looking for strength in some areas and a willingness to grow in others. 

Desired qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in climate. This may include, but is not limited to, experience such as the following:
  • Directly working in climate policy, especially in legislative work. You’ve drafted and/or advocated for climate legislation and moved bills through a legislative process.
  • Climate activism. You might have organized a community against fossil fuel infrastructure or supported a corporate pressure campaign.
  • Knowledge of the climate tech sector. You’re up to date on cutting-edge innovations and you understand the hard technical challenges of decarbonization.
  • Analyzing and comparing carbon offset programs. You might have conducted research on the offset market or helped a firm go carbon neutral.
  • Climate finance and investing. You might have worked for an ESG firm or a green banking initiative.
• Experience with desk-based research and writing formal reports for general and expert audiences.
• Experience with quantitative modeling and an understanding of impact evaluations.
• Experience managing junior researchers to produce written deliverables, and working with a team to set and drive forward a research agenda.
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degrees preferred but not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to weigh in on major debates within the climate space (investment/divestment, energy policy, Green New Deal, etc.).
• Proven ability to work alone and with teams in a dynamic, multicultural environment.
• Comfort with small teams and enthusiasm for helping to shape our strategy and culture.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, passion for taking action on climate change, and strong values aligned with IDinsight’s stated values.

Nuts & bolts

Location:

This position is fully remote. We are able to hire full- and part-time staff based anywhere in the world.

Start date:

The start date is flexible, with a preference for candidates that can start immediately. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. 

Compensation

• Compensation is competitive for the non-profit sector and will be tailored to the experience of the applicant. If you have salary requirements, please state them in your cover letter. 
• We offer comprehensive benefits to full-time employees: comprehensive international health insurance, including mental health coverage; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; relocation benefits; a travel stipend; technology and work from home stipends; a professional development budget; and more.
  • Please note, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation similar to leading private sector organizations. 

How to apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below and then follow instructions.The application asks various questions in order for us to get to know you and requires a CV and cover letter.

Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience as well as details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note, headshot photographs, parental details, birth dates, marital status and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. 

Please indicate in your cover letter (1) whether you are interested in a part- or full-time role (2) whether you have special expertise in a climate-related issue area (3) if you have a salary requirement, what that salary requirement is. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letters to highlight why you want to work for Giving Green specifically, and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of Giving Green’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.

Any questions should be directed to givinggreen@idinsight.org. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If selected, you will be asked to complete a short work task and interview with members of the Giving Green team.